Susanne Scheppmann
". . . It is true! The Lord has risen . . ." Luke 24:34 (NIV)
Last month, I heard the phrase, "He is risen!" Somewhere from the recesses of my memory the return phrase, "He is risen, indeed!" sprang from my mouth.
The phrase "He is risen! Indeed!" is termed as the Paschal or Easter greeting. The term "Paschal" comes from the original Hebrew word pesach referring to the Jewish Passover. Experts on Christian customs believe the greeting originated shortly after Christ's resurrection. It is popular among both Catholics and Protestants. One person rejoices with "He is risen!" The other answers with the joyous response, "He is risen, indeed!"
A risen Savior changes lives not only for eternity, but right now—today—here on earth. That is a fact to celebrate! Recently my home church illustrated this truth on a Sunday morning by having fifty people stand on stage while holding hand-painted signs. In the beginning, the audience saw only a white piece of poster board. Then, as music played softly, one by one each person flipped his or her own sign over to display the power of the risen Savior in his or her life. The signs read:
Methamphetamine addiction—Drug free
Cancer—Healed
Suicidal—Abundant Life
Lonely—Fellowship
Alcoholism—Sobriety
Filled with bitterness—Learned to forgive
Insecure and unloved—Loved and secure in Jesus
The stage was filled with humanity at its worst, but Jesus at His best. This humble display of the power of Christ moved many members of our congregation to tears. Then, slowly, applause erupted from the auditorium in praise of God. The Apostle John finished his gospel with these compelling words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25, NIV). These words apply today just as much as they did in the first century.
I often take for granted what the risen Christ has done for me for eternity, and for today. I lose my gratitude for the ever present power of Jesus' death and resurrection. But today I have regained my wonder of living in the power of the resurrection. Christ is risen …Indeed!
Dear Lord, You have risen, indeed! Help me to remember each day of the year that You are triumphant in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Through All Generations CD by Gwen Smith
Consider joining an Online Community where you can praise the risen Lord and discuss daily life with others.
Visit Susanne’s blog
Application Steps:
If you do not know the risen Savior, Jesus Christ, please click on this link. If you are a Christ follower, show the world, "He is risen! Indeed!"
Reflections:
How does Christ's resurrection affect me on a day-to-day basis?
Do other people recognize that I am a Christ follower?
Power Verses:
Luke 24:6-7, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (NIV)
Mark 16:6, "'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'" (NIV)
John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (NIV)
". . . It is true! The Lord has risen . . ." Luke 24:34 (NIV)
Last month, I heard the phrase, "He is risen!" Somewhere from the recesses of my memory the return phrase, "He is risen, indeed!" sprang from my mouth.
The phrase "He is risen! Indeed!" is termed as the Paschal or Easter greeting. The term "Paschal" comes from the original Hebrew word pesach referring to the Jewish Passover. Experts on Christian customs believe the greeting originated shortly after Christ's resurrection. It is popular among both Catholics and Protestants. One person rejoices with "He is risen!" The other answers with the joyous response, "He is risen, indeed!"
A risen Savior changes lives not only for eternity, but right now—today—here on earth. That is a fact to celebrate! Recently my home church illustrated this truth on a Sunday morning by having fifty people stand on stage while holding hand-painted signs. In the beginning, the audience saw only a white piece of poster board. Then, as music played softly, one by one each person flipped his or her own sign over to display the power of the risen Savior in his or her life. The signs read:
Methamphetamine addiction—Drug free
Cancer—Healed
Suicidal—Abundant Life
Lonely—Fellowship
Alcoholism—Sobriety
Filled with bitterness—Learned to forgive
Insecure and unloved—Loved and secure in Jesus
The stage was filled with humanity at its worst, but Jesus at His best. This humble display of the power of Christ moved many members of our congregation to tears. Then, slowly, applause erupted from the auditorium in praise of God. The Apostle John finished his gospel with these compelling words, "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written" (John 21:25, NIV). These words apply today just as much as they did in the first century.
I often take for granted what the risen Christ has done for me for eternity, and for today. I lose my gratitude for the ever present power of Jesus' death and resurrection. But today I have regained my wonder of living in the power of the resurrection. Christ is risen …Indeed!
Dear Lord, You have risen, indeed! Help me to remember each day of the year that You are triumphant in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers
Through All Generations CD by Gwen Smith
Consider joining an Online Community where you can praise the risen Lord and discuss daily life with others.
Visit Susanne’s blog
Application Steps:
If you do not know the risen Savior, Jesus Christ, please click on this link. If you are a Christ follower, show the world, "He is risen! Indeed!"
Reflections:
How does Christ's resurrection affect me on a day-to-day basis?
Do other people recognize that I am a Christ follower?
Power Verses:
Luke 24:6-7, "He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" (NIV)
Mark 16:6, "'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'" (NIV)
John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (NIV)
Labels: Gratitude, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Walking in Faith
5 Comments:
I often have to remind myself that the Lord tells me in his word that, all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord who are called according to his purpose. It does get so hard sometimes to trust the Lord when you can't see the purpose with your natural eyes.
I have been saved now for 7 years and in those seven years, My house burned down, I lost my job, I was in a cult in which I had to have a road block to stop them from coming in my house when I wasn't home trying to harm me and my children, I got evicted out of my house, had to move back home with parents, then to live with a friend, got married, husband got layed off from job, I worked, but then got sick and had 2 heart attacks, got evicted again from another house, had know where to go for a week, no one would take us in, finally moved in with sister n law, got another job to get sick again, right before we moved into another house, so couldn't work, husband was abusive, children were discouraged and family didn't understand. Have never known where I was going to live or be in the next year. Sometimes, I wandered if the Lord was even there. My spirit knew the truth, that he was and is and always will be, but my mind was constantly challenged by the enemy, with the help of my family, friends and outsiders. What kept me and is keeping me now is that the Lord will not and can not lie. That he has a purpose for everything. And what I can't see as being rich with my natural eyes, I can see in the spirit. People have come to Christ, Strengthen in their Faith, prayers have been answered and because of m y faithfulness and non waivering lifestyle, I can see my unsaved family changing. I can see the Lord moving in their lives. My sister told me the other day that because of my presence, it causes people to want to stop cursing or to just do right. At that moment, I was so touched by God's moving answer to me when I asked him just the day before, had he forgotten about me. So I truly do thank you for just confirming what the Lord is saying to not just me but to us all. He loves us and he will supply all of our needs according to his riches and Glory. It may not be the way we feel it should be, but his ways and his thoughts are not like ours. If we faint not, we will reap a harvest. A harvest of love,joy, and peace in knowing that on the other side, we will have eternal life and because he lives, we can face tomorrow! Jesus is Lord
Susanne~
What a beautiful message. I believe I have seen that ceremony via a video and was completely touched by it. I praise God for His Love for us in that He sent His only Son to died for me. Then on the third day rose again! Amen! He is Risen! INDEED!
I thank You and praise You, Lord, for this dear sister who has endured so much but has not wavered. Continue to strengthen her, Lord. Truly, You have risen and are alive and with us each moment even though satan would have us believe You have forsaken us because bad things happen.
I love this devo. What a great testimony of God's working in the lives of your church family. Thank you for sharing.
Wow! This moved me to tears without ever having seen this at your church. Awesome!
What a amazing thing-- Jesus Christ raising from the dead!
If that never happened what ever we preach,witness,believe in,is so not true,it would be all lies if He did not defeat satan,all that we believe in would be worthless,but because He did sacrifice,and bear our sins and save us we are His forever!
He is Risen!Indeed!
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